Same-sex couples still fear discrimination

MATT ROURKE / ASSOCIATED PRESS Newly engaged Jefferson Rougeau, left, and Steven Creps embrace on the steps of the state Capitol on Tuesday in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania's ban on gay marriage was overturned Tuesday by a federal judge.

Same-sex couples in Pennsylvania could legally marry as soon as this weekend.

Doing so could get them fired on Monday.

All it took was a little white-out Wednesday to prepare applications for all potential couples in Lackawanna County, reflecting a federal judge’s ruling Tuesday, which struck down Pennsylvania’s gay marriage ban.

Pointing to two applications on a table in her office, Register of Wills Fran Kovaleski explained the only real change was replacing the words groom and bride with gender neutral alternatives on documents.

“I don’t believe that anyone should have to declare themselves,” she said. “I just think applicant one and applicant two is the way to go.”

“The (application) process is exactly the same,” she added. After a three-day waiting period, the license becomes valid.

But those same couples could still lose their jobs or be evicted from their homes because of their sexual orientation, gender expression or identity.

House Bill 300 and Senate Bill 300, pending legislation, seeks to amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, prohibiting discrimination in employment and housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

John Dawe, the executive director of NEPA Rainbow Alliance, called the ruling and Gov. Tom Corbett’s decision not to appeal the ruling “monumental,” but only one step toward equality.

“Today we’re celebrating. Maybe for a couple days we’ll be celebrating,” he said. “Then we have to go back to work.”

A group gathered at the Alliance center in Plains Township on Tuesday for an impromptu party to celebrate the court ruling, but declined to speak to press or be photographed, Dawe said.

“They have a legitimate fear of being fired or evicted from their housing because they’re either gay or transgender,” he said.

A board meeting was planned at Temple Hesed on Wednesday evening to discuss how the temple “make it known in our communities that we do celebrate same-sex marriages,” Rabbi Daniel Swartz said.

“I’m very happy for both the decision recognizing the value of all loving relationships in our state and thankful that Governor Corbett ... isn’t wasting time and creating more division,” he said.

He also agreed that there was more work to be done.

“This isn’t the end of the discussion,” he said. “It’s still legal in Pennsylvania to be fired because you’re gay.”

In his announcement Wednesday, Corbett, who personally opposes same-sex marriage, said an appeal would have been “extremely unlikely to succeed.”

In a statement Wednesday, the Most Rev. Joseph Bambera, bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, said the decision doesn’t change the Roman Catholic Church’s understanding of marriage.

“In the midst of this decision, which may be challenging to some, the Church condemns injustice, oppression, or violence against all people, regardless of sexual orientation. Like every person, our gay sisters and brothers — members of our families, our communities and our churches — are beloved children of God who deserve to be treated with respect, sensitivity and compassion.”

Five couples filed applications in Luzerne County and four filed in Pike County. A couple arrived at the Scranton Electric Building just before 1 p.m. and were surprised to learn they were the first in the county. They declined to talk to the press, but told Tracy Doherty, deputy register of wills, they had been waiting 30 years to wed.

“It was emotional. It was historical. It’s wonderful to be a part of it,” Doherty said. “They’re planning their future and they’ve wanted all the rights that the rest of us enjoy and are entitled to.”

Only one same-sex couple filled for a marriage license in Wayne County, but prothonotary Edward Sandercock said offices could see higher numbers today because of the news that no appeal will be filed.

“Love is still in the air in Wayne County,” he said. “Tomorrow may be a bigger day.”

rbrown@timesshamrock.com

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